Summary
Adventures Aboard the S.S. Grin, offered by Centervention, provides a lesson-based approach to SEL. It includes programming intended for grade 3-5 and demonstrated evidence of effectiveness at grade 3. Students engage with the program online with little teacher involvement.
Adventures Aboard the S.S. GRIN is an online SEL curriculum that is student led and designed to assist students in grades 3-5, regardless of their social emotional competence. Built around an engaging narrative, Adventures Aboard the S.S. GRIN includes a series of scenes focusing on Respect, Thinking Ahead, Responsibility, Communication, Check it Out, Friendships, and Cooperation. If played once or twice per week, the program can be completed during a semester or a full year.
Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)
Not available at this time.
Implementation
Below are key implementation details for this program. These specifications help determine if the program is a good fit for your school or organization.
Grade(s)
Elementary (K-5)
Setting
Classroom, Schoolwide, Home, Clinical, Community
Language
English
Cost
$5-$12/student
# Lessons
For additional information please contact the provider
Program Design
Tier 1 (Universal)
Technology Requirements
Students may access Adentures Aboard the S.S. GRIN through any device with an HTML5 web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari).
Staffing Requirements
Typically delivered by a school counselor, social worker, or teacher, along with a co-facilitator.
Professional Development
Comprehensive online provider training included with subscription
Outcomes
Improved SEL skills and attitudes
Reduced Emotional Distress
Improved Identity Development/ Agency
Improved Academic Performance
Reduced Problem Behavior
Improved School Climate
Improved School Connectedness
Improved Prosocial Behavior
Improved Teaching Practices
Improved SEL Skills and Attitude
Evidence of Effectiveness
Results from a randomized controlled trial evaluation conducted in the 2019-2020 academic year (published in 2021) supported the effectiveness of Adventures Aboard the S.S. Grin for elementary students. This evaluation included 365 grade 3 students in urban and suburban school districts in the U.S. West region (47% Hispanic/Latinx, 25% Asian/Asian American; 63% of student body eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (FRPL) at participating schools). This evaluation found that grade 3 students receiving instruction using Adventures Aboard the S.S. Grin showed significantly greater growth in teacher-reported improved positive social behaviors (including communication skills) and performance-based assessments of social skills (including SEL-oriented goals and solutions) compared to students in the control group (outcomes reported approximately 16 weeks after baseline, while controlling for outcome pre-test and relevant demographic covariates).
Academic
Promising
Strong Relationships
Strong
Emotional Wellbeing
Strong
Published Studies
DeRosier, M. E. (2004). Building relationships and combating bullying: Effectiveness of a school-based social skills group intervention. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 33(1), 196-201.
DeRosier, M.E. & Marcus, S.R. (2005). Building friendships and combating bullying: Effectiveness of S.S.GRIN at one-year follow-up. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34, 140-150.
Li, L., Flynn, K.S., DeRosier, M.E., Weiser, G., & Austin-King, K. (2021). Social-Emotional Learning Amidst COVID-19 School Closures: Positive Findings from an Efficacy Study of Adventures Aboard the S.S. GRIN. Frontiers in Education, 6.